Remove feed.searchboxlive.com from browser settings

What is Search Box DS?

Once installed on browsers, the Search Box DS application (also known as SearchBoxLive) supposedly makes browsing the web easier.

Note, however, that this app also changes browser settings to promote a fake search engine (feed.searchboxlive.com). Apps of this type are called browser hijackers and potentially unwanted applications (PUAs). Typically, users download and install them inadvertently. Additionally, most browser hijackers gather user-system information.

Typically, browser hijackers can be installed on Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Internet Explorer. After installation Search Box DS appoints feed.searchboxlive.com as the homepage, default search engine, and new tab URL. Like most apps of this type, Search Box DS ensures that users cannot change or undo these settings, unless it is uninstalled.

Therefore, people who have this app installed on their systems are forced to visit the aforementioned website when they open a browser, new tab, or search through URL bar. Additionally, most fake search engines and browser hijackers collect data such as users' IP addresses, geolocations, URLs of visited pages, entered search queries, and other similar information.

They might also record personal details. Developers share the information with third parties (possibly, cyber criminals) who misuse it to generate revenue. These actions can lead to various problems such as privacy/browsing safety issues or even identity theft. These are the main reasons why apps such as Search Box DS should be uninstalled immediately.

Threat Summary:

Name	Search Box DS
Threat Type	Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab
Detection Names (install.searchboxlive.com)	Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Browser Extension(s)	SearchBox, Search Box DS
Supposed Functionality	This app supposed to make everyday web browsing easier
Promoted URL	feed.searchboxlive.com
Serving IP Address (feed.searchboxlive.com)	13.84.45.249
Affected Browser Settings	Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine
Symptoms	Manipulated Internet browser settings (homepage, default Internet search engine, new tab settings). Users are forced to visit the hijacker's website and search the Internet using their search engines
Distribution methods	Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers
Damage	Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites
Malware Removal (Windows)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Search Box DS is similar to other apps of this type such as Your Streaming TV Now, Live Radio Now, Maps Utility, and many others.

Most browser hijackers are advertised as useful, legitimate apps, however, rather than functioning as promised, these apps operate as information tracking tools and promote fake search engines. In summary, these apps should never be trusted or used.

How did Search Box DS install on my computer?

Search Box DS is promoted through its 'official' website and is also available for download on the Chrome Web Store, however, most people download and install apps of this type inadvertently by clicking deceptive advertisements, which are usually displayed on dubious web pages, or by downloading and installing software without checking the information provided in the set-ups.

PUAs are often added to the set-ups of other software and are only mentioned in settings such as "Custom", "Advanced", and so on. Many people fail to check (and then change) the settings - by leaving them unchanged, they grant permission for PUAs to be downloaded and installed by default with the chosen software.

This marketing method is known as "bundling". Developers use it to trick people into downloading and installing PUAs through the set-ups of regular (usually free) programs.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Download software and files from official websites and use direct links. Do not download programs using third party downloaders, unofficial websites, or other similar sources such as Peer-to-Peer networks (eMule, torrent clients). Download and install software carefully.

Check all "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings that are available in any download or installation setup, and opt-out of offers to download or install additionally-included unwanted apps. Generally, ads displayed on dubious web pages redirect people to other untrustworthy websites.

Examples of dubious web pages that often contain deceptive ads are those relating to gambling, pornography, adult dating, etc. If your browser opens dubious web pages or displays unwanted ads, check programs installed on the computer and extensions, add-ons, and plug-ins installed on the browser.

Remove any unwanted, suspicious or unknown entries (apps/programs) immediately. If your computer is already infected with Search Box DS, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Website promoting Search Box DS browser hijacker:

Search Box DS download site notifies of changes that will be made if this app is added to the browser:

Instant automatic malware removal: Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

• What is Search Box DS?
• STEP 1. Uninstall Search Box DS application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove feed.searchboxlive.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove Search Box DS browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove feed.searchboxlive.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove feed.searchboxlive.com redirect from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Search Box DS browser hijacker removal:

Windows 11 users:

Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.

Windows 10 users:

Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.

Windows 7 users:

Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.

macOS (OSX) users:

Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.

In the uninstall programs window: look for any recently installed suspicious applications (for example, "Search Box DS"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications that cause browser redirects to the feed.searchboxlive.com website, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Search Box DS browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove browser redirects:

Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Change your homepage:

Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Internet Options", in the opened window, remove hxxp://feed.searchboxlive.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you launch Internet Explorer. You can also enter about: blank to open a blank page when you start Internet Explorer.

Change your default search engine:

Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". In the opened window, select "Search Providers", set "Google", "Bing", or any other preferred search engine as your default and then remove "SearchBox".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the feed.searchboxlive.com redirect, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.

Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.

In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.

Click the Reset button.

Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate "SearchBox DS" and other recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.

Change your homepage:

Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable "SearchBox DS", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.feed.searchboxlive.com) below the “Open a specific or set of pages” option. If present, click on the three vertical dots icon and select “Remove”.

Change your default search engine:

To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings", in the "Search engine" section, click "Manage search engines...", in the opened list look for "feed.searchboxlive.com", and when located, click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Remove from list".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the feed.searchboxlive.com redirect, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.

After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions" and remove "SearchBox" (or "SearchBox DS"), as well as all other recently installed browser plug-ins.

Change your homepage:

To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Options", in the opened window, disable "SearchBox" (or "SearchBox DS"), remove hxxp://feed.searchboxlive.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.

Change your default search engine:

In the URL address bar, type about:config and press Enter.
Click "I'll be careful, I promise!".
In the search filter at the top, type: "feed.searchboxlive.com"
Right-click on the found preferences and select "Reset" to restore default values.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with feed.searchboxlive.com redirect removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.

Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.

Select Troubleshooting Information.

In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.

Remove malicious extensions from Safari:

Make sure your Safari browser is active and click Safari menu, then select Preferences...

In the preferences window select the Extensions tab. Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions and uninstall them.

In the preferences window select General tab and make sure that your homepage is set to a preferred URL, if its altered by a browser hijacker - change it.

In the preferences window select Search tab and make sure that your preferred Internet search engine is selected.

Optional method:

Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...

In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.

Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:

Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate any recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.

Change your homepage and new tab settings:

Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section look for the name of the browser hijacker and click "Disable".

Change your default Internet search engine:

To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Privacy and services", scroll to bottom of the page and select "Address bar". In the "Search engines used in address bar" section look for the name of the unwanted Internet search engine, when located click the "Disable" button near it. Alternatively you can click on "Manage search engines", in the opened menu look for unwanted Internet search engine. Click on the puzzle icon near it and select "Disable".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the feed.searchboxlive.com redirect, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.

In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.

Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

• If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.

Summary:

A browser hijacker is a type of adware infection that modifies Internet browser settings by assigning the homepage and default Internet search engine settings to some other (unwanted) website URL. Commonly, this type of adware infiltrates operating systems through free software downloads. If your download is managed by a download client, ensure that you decline offers to install advertised toolbars or applications that seek to change your homepage and default Internet search engine settings.

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